Arsenal team news as Kieran Tierney and Cedric Soares close in on return to training

Arteta has had to use Saka at left-back of late – to great effect

(Getty Images)

Arsenal have posted their latest injury update and the Gunners are edging closer to boosting their squad with a pair of defensive reinforcements.

Mikel Arteta has been juggling resources recently, with Bukayo Saka forced into regular action at left-back and Sokratis missing out at centre-back more than once of late.

But the new boss should be boosted toward the end of the month, with two full-backs pushing for a return to full training – and neither have, as yet, been able to have a big impact for the team.

With the Gunners currently on a 10-game unbeaten run, increased competition for places and some natural cover in demanding roles should only increase optimism around the Emirates at putting together a strong end to the season.

Summer signing Kieran Tierney has been out since early December with a dislocated shoulder, but is now back involved with the group sessions.

He’ll aim to join in full training by the end of the month, meaning a return to action could be pencilled in for the FA Cup clash at Portsmouth on March 2.

The Scottish international has only made four Premier League starts for the club since joining from Celtic for around £25 million in August.

Joining Tierney in targetting a return to full training at the end of the month is right-back Cedric Soares, who has a knee issue. Cedric joined on loan from Southampton in January, but has yet to feature for the Gunners.

Arsenal are also without fellow defeders Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers, who are longer-term absentees. Chambers faces at least five months more on the sidelines after a cruciate ligament rupture in December, while Kolasinac departed the pitch against Everton last weekend after suffering a “significant” shoulder injury. He is still being assessed and there is no timescale on his recovery.

Arteta’s team face Olympiacos on Thursday night in the Europa League, but have a free weekend thereafter before the FA Cup trip to Portsmouth.